"You know, you really don't have to walk me..." I walked beside Giwook as we both made our way to the unaffiliated training center. Just before this as I ate my breakfast in the room with Kemono, Giwook stopped by, telling me he'll walk me there. Obviously I have no objections to this amazing opportunity to have some quality time with him, even if we don't talk, but it also threw me off. I'm perfectly capable of finding my way through the academy since I've been through the whole place once. So, why does he want to walk me all of a sudden? Surely...
"Don't tell me. Is it to protect me?" Giwook didn't respond but the gulp he took didn't go unnoticed. So, Giwook is walking me to and from my dorm during teaching hours because...he's protecting me. From what? The other students and possibly hostile enemies Kain might've made. "I'm guessing Mr. Inhyuk asked you to" For the rest of the walk, we remained quiet. He opened the door for me, as I opened the door for him leading into the main part of the building. Glancing inside, I saw Jiwoo talking with each of the other students as Wooin walked behind. A small chuckle escaped my lips, earning a side glance from Giwook who didn't even spare a single look my way through my questioning. Jiwoo was probably complimenting them or something. It's what he did in the Manwha as well, he's seriously so enduring.
"Attention Everyone!!!" Giwook yelled, making me flinch. I sighed. Again with it. Yelling while I was thinking. "Start running and don't stop until I tell you to!!" I rubbed my eyes as he yelled at the shocked students, staring at him in disbelief. "Pardon!?" They all asked, wondering what running has to do with anything. "Jeongsu and Gangwoo! You two need to run twice as fast as Taeyoung and Jihye!!" He yelled to them. Leaving most in complicated expressions, all still questioning why the hell they should run when their awakened one's already? What's the point of running anyway? I scoffed at them. As a recently awakened one that automatically loves running no matter the day or time, I've found my physical prowess as well as my electrokinesis ability became in tune with one another. Before my aiming was...horrible. But over time as I exercised and continued to practice my power in tiny little shocks, my total aim started to accurately hit my targets. Although still very unstable.
"As for Wooin and Jiwoo-" I blinked, looking at them. "You two must run three times as fast as the others!!" He yelled. "Yes sir!!" Jiwoo yelled back with just as much energy, immediately running as soon as he said. Wooin followed of course. I couldn't help but smile a little, getting caught by Jiwoo who peeked my way, seeing me freeze then wipe my smile away as he only smiled even wider, jumping up with a wave all excited. I cringed, looking away with slightly flushed cheeks. 'Stick to the plan, stick to the plan', I repeatedly told myself over and over. All the other students gasped at Jiwoo and Wooins accepting behavior when the others hesitated. "Are you guys going to just stand there?" Giwook glared at the other students, waiting for them to start doing as told. Without another word, they started running.
"How many laps can you do before you get tired?" I asked Giwook out of nowhere, wanting to start a little conversation to at least loosen whatever tense atmosphere we had going on. "...I'm not sure. I keep running until I get tired. I've never counted my laps..." he said truthfully, leaving me in a kind of amazed yet confused state. He keeps running until tired? "I see. Must be great" I commented. "What?" He asked. "Being able to run all you want without stopping for a very long while. Losing track of time while moving. As awakened ones, that's awesome. Having the natural born body of some Olympian on steroids." I joked, chuckling at myself until it slowly stopped, seeing Giwooks unamused gaze on me. "...should I run too-" but he shook his head before I could finish my question. "Just sit down and observe for now. You'd just get in the way" I huffed at his words. Just yesterday he was sweet and today he's being a bit cold. But, it's Giwook, I didn't mind. As long as he didn't cross a line with me. "Yes sir~~" I plopped onto the ground, staring up at the ceiling. Replaying the spars from yesterday and inserting myself as their opponents, thinking up different ways I could use my power in situations.
...
"Haaaah haaaah haaaaaaaaah" the students came to a stop after a few hours of nonstop running. I sat up off the ground, earning quite a bit of glares from them as my hair was messy. Actually, I ended up falling asleep at some point when Giwook tapped my leg with his shoe. Waking me. "It's killing me..." two of them were on the ground, clenching their chests and stomachs as another two looked on the verge of falling over. The only ones that looked like they went on a light jog were Wooin and Jiwoo, both standing straight with sweat on their foreheads. "How could he make us run full speed for five straight hours..???" One of them questioned, looking up just to see me still very much on the ground, yawning after having woken from my little nap Giwook allowed me to have. Jihye gave me a nasty glare but it's not like I could do anything. I'm a regular human being. I can't run that long without collapsing then dying of exhaustion...is what they probably think.
"Jeez..." I told myself, starting to feel bad as I stood up, stretching. "Good job everyone. You guys ended a bit late but make sure to have your meal at the cafeteria. I'll see you tomorrow" Giwook said, turning towards me. "Don't forget to give Taeyoung an extra hour to teach him a few things" he patted my shoulder, about to leave when Jiwoo yelled out to him. "Excuse me, Mr. Jang!" He looked at Jiwoo. "Is that the end of today's class?" Everyone turned to Jiwoo, thinking many thoughts while Giwook was quite surprised. Caught off guard by Jiwoos question. "What?" Was all he could respond with at the moment. "I get that yesterday's class ended because of the injuries inflicted due to the sparring matches but today's class ended pretty early too...." I blinked. Chuckling at the students reaction to Jiwoos statement. All seemed to want to shut him up at all costs. "This is all for today. It's also important to get proper nutrition and let your body recover" Jiwoo smiled brightly hearing him, turning to the rest of his fellow classmates after yelling out an enthusiastic, "Yes, Sir!!!".
"Let's go eat!" His bubbly self left the others in a state of exhaustion. All just amazed he even has this much energy to spare after running for as long as they did, especially faster than them.
...
"Can't I sit by myself...?" Somehow, somewhere, at some time Jiwoo dragged me to their table, allowing me to sit at the end, beside Wooin and Jeongsu. "Class is over now. You're no longer the trainer's assistant, you're just another high schooler my age!" Jiwoo said giddily, chomping down on his food. I sighed, ignoring the continued stares from the others as I picked up my chopsticks, placing a few pieces of meat on the rice then eating it together. Listening to their conversation.
"I don't have the energy left to eat..." one of them said, grimacing at the food in front of them. "By the way, isn't this unfair?" Jihye started. Leaving Jiwoo confused as Wooin stayed silent, eating what he had to. "I understand that we're in a different class than the affiliated students but we're even in a different cafeteria and dorm" I glanced around the table once she spoke. The room just became gloomy all of a sudden. I sighed. If anything, this cafeteria and the dorms were already way better than the regular schools, even better than Hyungs all mighty Yale University he was going to. So I have no idea why they are complaining. Even then, discrimination between unaffiliated by affiliated groups isn't something to look over either.
"Speaking of which, what was up with that class? We ran the whole time...it's not like we're in P.E...I didn't come here to be treated like this..." Jihye continued to talk, bringing down everyone else's mood. I have no part in this conversation, so much as I peep a sound, they'll turn against me. Talking about how I'm not an awakened one so I wouldn't understand. Instead, I thought of hyung. How much he would've given just to be in an educational institution like this rather than the basement of our fathers house, secretly learning the ways of awakened one's. To be around peers like himself. Not having to hide away. And me, wanting to give anything to see hyung in my place, right now, able to show his entire self without masking anything. "Uhm- Mr.Jang probably has something in mind" Jiwoo grabbed everyone's attention. I internally thanked him, leaning away as I pulled my jacket sleeves over my fist, wiping away my watery eyes.
"Oh you wanna act all nice and make us the bad guys?" "Yeah Jiwoo, your awakened power might be strong but that doesn't mean you can ignore our opinions" they suddenly started turning on Jiwoo. As I've said before. "T-That's not what I meant..." he stiffened, obviously not expecting them to say such things to him as I huffed out a breath. I wanted to say something but I'm in no place to butt in. I'd rather not make more enemies while I stay at this damned awakened academy. "Just don't say anything if you don't know anything. Before coming to the academy, I learned a few things from the group that brought me here. Do you think running was one of them? If people heard we spent the whole class running, they'd laugh at us" Jihye continued to complain. I won't lie, it was bearable when reading it but listening to it, in real life, was beyond annoying. They have no idea what Jiwoo went through and him having faith in Mr. Jang who is far more senior to them means a lot. Especially when Mr.Jang even took the time to train them when most wouldn't glance at an unaffiliated awakened one.
"But I just think there'll be a reason..." Jiwoo tried to explain himself when someone else butted in. "What do you know to claim there's a reason?" I clenched my jaw, on the very verge of telling them to shut the the hell up, shove rice up their asses and stop coming to their damn classes if they hate it so fucking much. "I can't believe you guys are complaining in front of that man's assistant..." I mumbled, earning a few glances my way and some even had clenched jaws when I spoke. About to shout when another voice broke in.
"What the heck? You guys are eating lunch now?" Everyone turned, seeing Jisuk and Subin walking into the cafeteria and towards Jiwoo and Wooin. "Huh? What are you two doing here?" Jiwoo smiled seeing them, his happy demeanor back. I turned away, grabbing my tray to run off because Jisuk was there. "We finished class and got bored so we dropped by" but I was too late. Jisuk basically slammed his hand onto my shoulder, forcing me back down into my seat as the tray also smacked back onto the table. "Haha-" I awkwardly laughed, smiling to the other unaffiliated students now staring at us, noticing my hand desperately clawing at Jisuks iron grip. Trying to pry the damn guy off. "Wow you ate it all up huh? Must've been hungry" Subin commented, looking at Wooins empty tray. He didn't say anything and rather stayed seated, glancing at the hand on my shoulder every now and then.
All of the other students seemed pretty nervous once they knew Jiwoo and Wooin knew Subin and Jisuk, both people affiliated with the bigger groups of Korea. "Hey-" but I couldn't stand being there for another second, especially being forced since Jisuk kept clenching his hand on me every time I tried to take it off. Hurting. He glanced my way after hearing my whisper. "Let go- I need to leave" I said as quietly as possible. "Why? Whats so important for the oh-so-great Kain Hua to want to leave so early in his lunch time?" Jisuk annoyingly pointed to the still full tray in front of Kain. "You-" I hissed back, glaring at him. "That so? You should finish it before going. Once you eat every bit of rice, I'll let you go" he whispered. "What in the..." Subin barely noticed the weird whispering interaction between me and Jisuk, both of us glaring at each other.
"I really don't need this right now Jisuk. Just let me go-" but Jisuk grabbed a handful of the food, shoving it into my mouth. "Ugh-" I gasped, choking on a piece of meat as I toppled over, gagging it all onto the tray again. "Ew- disgusting. Haha! This look suits you" Jisuk tugged some my hair, pulling me back as I let out a yelp. "Jisuk stop!" Both Wooin and Jiwoo jumped out of their chairs to help when they froze. Everyone froze hearing a loud crash.
I grabbed my tray, slamming it right into Jisuks stupid head as hard as it could, making sure it got every bit of my food on him. "Pfft- HAHAHHAHA" Subin started laughing seeing Jisuks eyes widened, staring down at his clothes now covered in rice, cut up meat, curry, and fried vegetables. "I already asked you nicely once. Unless you really want some trouble, I suggest you stop this fuckery. I grew up. It's your turn" I turned around, grumbling a lot as I slowly walked out before pausing, turning around. "Hey" I said, watching as Jisuks black eyes slowly looked up into Kains red ones. I smirked.
"This look suits you" I repeated what he said to me, my eyes looking over his shoulder. Noticing Taeyoung who covered his mouth at the scene. Rather everyone was completely shocked at this besides Subin who was on the ground, laughing her lungs out. "Taeyoung. Meet me in my room after you finish your lunch. There's no rush" I smiled to him, continuing my way out , feeling way better after finally doing something against Jisuk. Before, I only let him do whatever he wanted because I understood. Kain will never be a good person in Jisuks eyes. But, after a long time of contemplating. I don't need to take responsibility for everything Kain has done. What Kain did is nothing I did. Starting today, if anyone gives me shit, I'll use Kains father. They'll only shut up once they hear of his awakened dad that even Seongik Han doesn't want to get on the bad side of.
Meanwhile, Taeyoung's gasped, scattering about to throw his tray away. His aching body was the least of his worries as everyone's eyes fell on him. Jiwoo felt complicated. He's tried his best to get Kain to smile at him, even once, and when he does, he immediately stops. Yet, Kain gave Taeyoung a genuine smile so effortlessly? Was this betrayal? Frustration? Or...jealousy? As for Wooin, he wanted to know when Kain was on a first name basis with Taeyoung. He hardly ever heard Kain call his name and when he did, he felt absolutely proud. But, if he can call other people names so easily...is it something he can still be proud of? He gulped, feeling a bit down. They just arrived and after knowing Kain for a while now, barely got him to call him by his first name. Before, he hardly ever did. Yet, this kid Taeyoung even earned the authority to be personally invited by Kain to none other than room? It sucked.
Jisuk though, he felt a raging emotion in him. After Kain just humiliates him not just in front of his friend but in front of the unaffiliated students, then proceeds to mock him, genuinely smiles at another guy, invites him to his room later, and leaves happily? This was another type of anger. He didn't know what to be angry about. Whether Kain really did that to him or because he so casually called Taeyoung, smiling and all. A beautiful smile nonetheless.
"Th-then excuse me!" Taeyoung rushed to the door, turning to everyone and bowing quickly before running back out, scared at Jisuks glare when he caught up to me. "I'll come with you now! I-I don't know where your dorm is..." Taeyoung said, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. I turned to him, realizing then laughing a little. Smiling to him again and wrapped my arm around his shoulders. "Alright. I'll show you and the next time, you can just come over whenever, okay?" I tugged him closer, finding him cute for being so shy.
Only, the door Taeyoung left was slowly closing, allowing the whole trio of guys all having quite the cluster of feelings at the moment to witness Kain so easily warming up to Taeyoung. Even to the point of physically touching him first when they barely even get a hand shake out of him. All three, Jiwoo, Wooin, and the still covered in food Jisuk, clenched their jaws.
"Who was that anyway? He's hot. I didn't even notice him until now" but Subins voice brought them back. "That's Kain Hua of the Hua organization" Wooin answered for everyone else who seemed a bit stressed. Although Wooin was as well, he had a better restraint in covering his emotions up. "Kain Hua? O-OH!?! That Kain Hua!?! The asshole??? Holy....I mean I heard he was good looking but damn-" Subin covered her mouth, also hearing many bad rumors about Kain Hua as well as how he inherited his fathers good looks. As a sucker for good looking people, Subin couldn't help but sigh. "It's too bad he's such an ass though. Still, JISUK DESERVED THAT AHAHAHAHA" she went back to laughing at Jisuk who glared at her, grumbling about getting his revenge later on.
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A/n: Kain FINALLY is starting to accept his place in this world of Eleceed 😭🤌🤌 we love to see it!! Also- Kain getting close with Taeyoung??? 🥂 I wonder I wonder indeed ehehehehegegeegeg ahem- ANYWAYS HERES THE CHAPTER hope y'all liked it as usual!
Also when I said oc X ALL OF ELECEED I MEANT IT 💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺💃 so let's all have a hard time in choosing who Kain will end up with...(if he ends up with anyone LMAO)
And 8k READSSSSS!?!? IK YALL LYINGGGGG 😭😭😭 WYD READING THIS!? GO DO SMTH PRODUCTIVE! GO DO YOUR HOMEWORK!?! WALK YOUR BIRD OR SMTH WIDHWJXJSKS (I'm joking but fr, thank you guys a lot 🧍♀️ I remember freaking tf out seeing it got 1k so this is kinda like- heart attack kinda shocking LMAO)
The students running for 5 hours straight watching Kain snoring on the ground:
Kain when he finally snapped and hit Jisuk with the metal tray:
Me when Kain almost cried while thinking of his brother: